Police in the Western Cape have arrested a gang of extortionists believed to have extorted over 50 businesses in the Stellenbosch area.
The arrests stem from a takedown operation by police that saw four suspects nabbed on Sunday evening, August 16, in Bellville.
The provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, said the operation was led by detectives attached to Provincial Serious Violent Crimes Unit with support from members of Crime Intelligence, Done Unit, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), City of Cape Town law enforcement officials and members from the Financial Intelligence Centre.
“The four arrests comprise three family members from Nyanga (father and two sons), one of whom is a police constable, and a Somalian businessman who allegedly collected money on behalf of the extortion ring,” Potelwa said.
Businesses in Stellenbosch and Khayamandi were targeted.
“It is alleged that the suspects extorted money from over 50 Somali and Ethiopian businessmen in the Khayamandi and Stellenbosch area. With the assistance of the Somalian businessman who is believed to have collected the specified amounts of money on stipulated dates within a month on behalf of the suspects, the alleged extortionists would receive substantial amounts of cash on a regular basis,” Potelwa said.
During the operation, police also confirmed the seizure of R120,000 in cash, four vehicles used by the suspects in the commission of a crime (estimated to be valued at R3 million), and a number of cell phones.
“The suspects aged 23, 27, 47, and 53, are expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, on charges that relate to the crime of extortion, money laundering and contravention of sections of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA),” Potelwa said.
More arrests are imminent.
“With the project investigation that was established two years ago gaining momentum, more arrests are expected in due course,” Potelwa said.
Western Cape SAPS management commended the efforts of all role players involved in ensuring that the extortion ring is dismantled.
Community members are encouraged to report extortion-related crime to the Extortion line at 0800 31 4444.
